More Choctaw Bands by Counties

The first twelve Musings of this website has dealt with the location of Choctaws who met Article 14 of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek, that is they had to prove to a 1842 Commission that they indeed lived five years or roughly 1831-1836 on their homes in Mississippi. We termed those that passed the Commission as Choctaw Individual Properties or CIP.

When the CIP were geographically concentrated, we called them CIP bands. The CIP bands were described in Musings 1, 2, 3, and 8 and shown graphically in Musings 1, 2 and 3. In Musing 11 on Figure 1 the CIP bands are represented as blue dots of five miles diameter against a backdrop of the counties where they were situated and the major rivers of the State of Mississippi within the Choctaw territory. The blue dots or CIP bands are located to the township, range and section in which they occurred. In Musing 12 on Figure 1 we removed the rivers and added several of the most significant roads which date 1790-1830.

In Musing 13 we continue to seek Choctaw villages or bands from their former territory or 62 current counties of Mississippi from three sources: 1. the original United States survey plats (and sometimes their companion notes), 2. The Work Progress Administration History of Counties which dated 1937-38, and 3. A reexamination of the CIP. Were there CIP that included multiple townships that should have been divided or CIP that should have made the original cut?

The original United States (US) survey parties followed the US/Choctaw treaties. The earliest surveys generally lack the survey notes and geographic features like Indian paths and fields. By the treaties of Doak's Stand and Dancing Rabbit Creek the surveyors did a better job of recording paths and fields, BUT the surveyors apparently added these features on an individual basis as some surveyors went out of their way to disclose while others did not add any of these features.

The Work Progress Administration County Histories were written by its citizens. Apparently, the Counties were to have followed an outline. The outline had a number of chapters, and writers were selected for each. Those writers who were tasked to find Choctaw bands/villages had a real challenge. Most of the Choctaw left Mississippi for the Indian Nation, others left Mississippi for Louisiana or Arkansas. Then there was the issue of elapsed time. The WPA histories date 1937-8 which was one hundred years removed from 1832 or the beginning of Choctaw removal. Therefore, the Choctaw information had to have been handed down. Note: Some of these bands persisted into the early 1900s. Others could have moved from township to township or county to county.

There were other issues. The real emphasis of the WPA histories was white settlers, their settlements, the Civil War and reconstruction. That's a frank opinion after reading most of sixty counties. In short, most of the Choctaw references in the WPA were a sentence or two an amendment to say a white settler that built an antebellum house. Another issue was that the writers and their references believed Choctaw lived near and used Indian mounds.

So, for any Choctaw village or band to be drawn on Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2, we are looking for one of the three tests to pass: 1. CIP band, 2. Original US survey with plats indicating numerous Indian fields and/or paths, or 3. A sound WPA reference. We repeat these tests for each county in Mississippi which were once the province of the historic Choctaw.

We start on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in Hancock County and proceed east then north. That order more or less follows the US/Choctaw Treaties from earliest to latest.

At the end of each county we note the added bands and their locations. Those bands are plotted as green dots on Musing 13 in Figures 1 and 2. The green dots and blue dots are five miles in diameter. The blue dots are the CIP bands which we presented in Musings 11 and 12. We have added several additional early roads particularly in the southern section of the state.

We use a few abbreviations in the text.
US is United States; CIP is Choctaw Individual Property; WPA is Work Progress Administration; and BLM GLO is Bureau of Land Management General Land Office Records.

In addition, we have several sources:

1. Kidwell, Clara Sue, Choctaws and Missionaries in Mississippi 1818-1918, University of Oklahoma Press, 1997.
2. Cushman, H.B., History of the Choctaw, Chickasaw and Natchez Indians, Edited by Angie Debo, Forward by Clara Sue Kidwell, University of Oklahoma Press, 1999.
3. Swanton, John R., Source Material for the Social and Ceremonial Like of the Choctaw Indians, Birmingham Public Library Press, 1993.

When citing a source, we will use the last name of author and page number. An example is Kidwell (page 100) . . .

Hancock County:

Hancock County was formed from lands that the United States received from Spain in 1811. It was founded in 1812.

On Musing 11 Figure 1 we find two CIP bands in the county. They were located in Musing 8 Hancock County; one CIP band was located in township T7S R14W and the other in township T9S R14W.

With the prospect of finding other bands we reviewed the original United States (US) survey plats. To be brief there were no concentration of fields or paths indicative of a village. Most of the survey notes of the townships were missing from the BLM GLO website.

In the Work Progress Administration (WPA) History of Hancock County we find a band of Choctaw under the charge of Choctaw leader Tacala Yarbo who lived in Devil's Swamp in township T9S R16W. The survey plat for this township was labeled in large letters that the area was unfit for habitation.

Another band was located three miles west of Choctaw Bayou, which we do not find on modern maps, and south of Jourdan River which is west of contemporary city of Bay St. Louis. The local Catholic Church which we assume was Bay St. Louis provided the Choctaw with church services and teaching for a few years in a one room school. The teacher, a Miss Zingarling was also supplied by the Catholic Church. Catholic records are available locally beginning 1847. We situated this band in township T8S R14S.

We will add these two bands in townships T9S R16W and T8S R14S to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2. Per Kidwell (page 169) all of the Choctaw bands in Hancock County should be called the Bay Indians.

Harrison County:

Harrison County was founded in 1841 and formed by lands from Hancock and Jackson Counties. In Musing 8 Harrison County we had three CIP bands in townships T7S R10W and T6S R10W; T7S R11W; and T5S R12W. The band in townships T7S R10W and T6S R10W was located west and north of the Back Bay of Biloxi Bay. One of the principal flow sources to the Back Bay is the Tchoutacabouffa River where the northern part of the band lived. On the original survey plat dated 1828 Tchoutacabouffa River was labeled "chata cabawfa". The chata or Choctaw had been there at least from 1828.

The original US survey plats for Harrison County while conducted later than Hancock County, did not provide any concentrations of paths or fields which would be a tell for Indian occupation.

In the WPA we learned of another band. This band was located at what became Pass Christian, Ms. specifically White Harbor and Moccasin Point which were located in township T8S R13W. This band produced salt commercially. Customers were described as Indians and settlers from the land by wagon and boats by the Gulf of Mexico. The Choctaw of this band were taking Gulf of Mexico waters and evaporating it by fire in large pots. This business was so lucrative that a road was developed, the Choctaw Trail, which ran to what is now Gulfport area. Obviously, this means that neither roads nor railroads existed when this band was active. So, this business could have been operable in the 1850s? Were these Choctaw peoples named Bay Indians as well? They were just east of Bay St. Louis.

We have added this band in township T8S R13W to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Jackson County:

Jackson County, like Hancock County, was founded in 1812. In Musing 11 Figure 1 we noted three CIP bands that occupied Jackson County: namely, townships T7S R8W and T7S R7W; T6S R9W; and T6S R5W. The CIP bands were described in Musing 8 Jackson County.

Again, the original US survey notes were not helpful though their value will increase as we move north.

The WPA indicated another band living near Vancleave, Ms. on Bluff Creek or township T6S R7W. Given the Choctaw village tendencies, we suggest occupation between Bluff and Little Bluff Creeks. The WPA also referenced a Choctaw school at Live Oak Pond School. We are aware of a Live Oak Choctaw group which is certified by the State of Mississippi. We did not find any eighteenth century references to the school.

The WPA indicated that Griffin Point north of Pascagoula was once called Choctaw Point. Was a small Choctaw band located there?

There was a well which the Indians and whites used in Ocean Springs. The well was called "E ca na cha ha." The well was mentioned several times in the WPA and noted for its curative powers.

We will add the band in township T6S R7W to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Pearl River County:

Pearl River County was formed from Marion and Hancock Counties and founded in 1890.

We did not find any CIP bands in Pearl River County, see Musing 11 Figure 1. There were a few CIP in the county.

The original US survey documents did not provide any hint of Choctaw occupation.

The WPA proved helpful and yielded three bands. Stephen Jarrell, the first settler in the county, established a trading post for the Choctaw Indians on Hobolochitto Creek near present day Picayune. The band was described as being large. We have that band located in township T6S R17W.

Another large band occupied old Caesar, Ms. which was near Hancock County. The Choctaw band was described as being west of Caesar between the East Hobolochitto and Catahoula Creeks. Nuchichera was the chief of the village. The Choctaw sold dressed buck hides to white settlers. We situated this band in township T5S R16W. The city of Poplarville was first settled by Choctaw. We located this band in township T2S R15W.

These three bands in townships T6S R17W, T5S R16W, and T2S R15W and will be noted on Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Stone County:

Stone County was formed from the northern part of Harrison County and founded in 1916.

There were no CIP bands in Musing 11 Figure 1. Further, there were no CIP in Stone County.

The original US survey notes were made in 1828. There was no mention of fields or paths or signs of Choctaw occupation on the plats.

Per the WPA History of Stone County the first settler was Colonel John B. Bond who attended the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek and whose first wife was Choctaw.

Additionally, one writer in the WPA thought there was an Indian village near the Stone/George county border. But he could not recall its location.

William Forbes, the last Choctaw living in the county, died in 1904.

Therefore, we do not have any Choctaw bands in Stone County.

George County:

George County was formed from Jackson and Greene Counties and founded in 1910.

Musing 11 Figure 1 indicates there were no CIP bands. In fact, there were not any CIP in the county per the BLM GLO database.

The WPA indicated that a Choctaw village was located in west ern George County near Jordan's Mill which was previously known as Donovan. From the original US survey plat we locate the band at township T2S R5W.

We have added this band at township T2S R5W to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Wilkinson County:

In December 1801 the Choctaw ceded 2.64 million acres of land to the United States at Fort Adams. As a result, permission was granted for the construction of the Natchez to Nashville mail road. The Mississippi Territory Counties formed from this cession include Wilkinson, Jefferson, Adams, Amite, Claiborne, Franklin and Warren. The Wilkinson County population was 5,068 in 1810 and 9,718 in 1820. In addition, US Fort Adams was located there.

We did not have any Wilkinson County CIP bands; see Musing 11 Figure 1. Further, there were no CIP in the county per BLM GLO website.

A review of the Wilkinson County original US survey plats indicated significant land sales and subdivision. However, in an eastern township there was a concentration of paths in the southern two-thirds of township T4N R1E. This location was south of the Homochitto River on Tar and Dry Creeks. The paths were not documented on neighboring township T3N R1E; however neighboring townships could have different surveyors. This appears to be a Choctaw band.

We did not find a copy of the WPA Wilkinson County history.

If there were additional Choctaw bands in Wilkinson County post 1800 they would have likely been in the unsettled townships in the east and south.

We have added the Choctaw band in township T4N R1E to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Amite County:

Amite County was formed from the eastern part of Wilkinson County and founded in 1809. Its population in 1810 was 4,750.

There were no CIP bands shown on Musing 11 Figure 1. In fact, the BLM GLO records indicate there were no CIP in the county.

The original US survey plats which dated 1810/11 do not indicate any Choctaw villages or hints thereof. The plats do demonstrate the settlers' lands, some of their roads, and the subdivision of land into lots generally near the Homochitto River. Roads noted and labeled on the plats include Natchez to New Orleans Road and Natchez to Liberty Road. Like Wilkinson County there were settlers and land subdivision though not on the scale of Wilkinson.

The WPA Amite County history does not indicate the location of a village or camp but makes several mentions of Choctaw. There were two hostilities recorded between the Choctaw and white settlers. One involved Choctaw who indicated they were Mucklusses (West Imongalasha: see VILLAGE LOCATIONS >French Western Villages) and Six Towns (see: VILLAGE LOCATIONS> British Sixtown Villages). A second incident ultimately resulted in gunfire in the area of East Amite River in 1809 between groups of white settlers and thirty-five to forty armed Choctaw. These events involved claims by whites that the Choctaw had killed their livestock. (It could have been the other way around).

Another WPA record was the Choctaw had a trace to Natchez which passed through Liberty, the Amite County seat as of 1809. Another WPA recollection was offered by a Mary Wilkinson about her grandmother who recalled a Choctaw camp where baskets were traded. A location of the camp was not provided.

While there was evidence of Choctaw we could not conclude a location for a band or village.

Pike County:

Pike County was founded in 1815 and a large number of settlers came prior to 1810. That can be explained by the fact that the land for Pike County and its neighbors to the east was ceded by the Choctaw at the Treaty of Mount Dexter in November 1805. Most of these settlers came from the eastern states via St. Stephen Mail Road to Natchez. In 1820 the county population had reached 4,438.

We did not have any CIP bands located in Pike County; see Musing 11 Figure 1. Further, there were not any CIP in the county.

The original US survey plats were drawn 1809/10. The survey notes were not available on BLM GLO website. The survey plats did not note any Indian paths or fields or US territorial roads. Further, compared to Amite County the noted features on the plats were infrequently labeled.

The WPA offered information about two Choctaw bands. Near Osyka in the southwestern corner of the county a band of twenty families was displaced by the construction of the railroad. This band moved south into Louisiana. This band was in township T1N R7E. A second band was located in township T4N R9E near Felder's campground on the Bogue Chitto River. Cushman (page 492) stated a band named Topisaw occupied that township. There was a community named Topisaw located on Topisaw Creek.

We also consulted the Pike County History 1798-1876 by Luke Connerly. A prospective third band of Choctaw lived on Indian Creek which was a tributary of Magee's Creek. We will find this band in neighboring Walthall County.

We have added two bands in townships T1N R7E and T4N R9E to Pike County; see Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Walthall County:

Walthall County was founded in 1910. A large part of the county was formed from its western neighbor Pike County. At 404 square miles it is the second smallest county in Mississippi, and one of the latest founded.

There were not any CIP bands in Walthall County; see Musing 11 Figure 1. In fact, there were no CIP in Walthall County.

Despite its late founding the US original survey plats were made in 1809/10 for Pike County. These early surveyors rarely recorded features other than water bodies. We do not find any trace of Choctaw bands. Further on the BLM GLO website there are no survey notes.

The WPA History of Walthall County did not have any help for us relative to Choctaw occupation, but the Pike County WPA did. There was a band of Choctaw living on Indian Branch on upper McGee's Creek. Indian Branch has disappeared from modern maps. However, the USGS was aware of its location; we place the band in township T4N R11E.

A second band lived near Kioto at T2N R10E. Choctaw George Mingo lived at that site after the larger group moved.

We have added two Choctaw bands in townships T4N R11E and T2N R10E to Walthall County; see Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Marion County:

Marion County was founded in 1811 with Columbia its county seat. The Pearl River flows through the county; the Pearl River appeared to be a favorite location for the Choctaw upstream to Neshoba County.

On Musing 11 Figure 1 we note there were not any CIP bands in Marion County. There were a half dozen CIP scattered in the county.

The original US survey plats which dated 1810 yielded no pertinent Choctaw village location or paths or fields. Once again, there were no survey notes available on the BLM GLO website.

The WPA History of Marion County yielded several Choctaw individual names but only one village or band. That band was located near the John Ford place. Ford built his home in 1809 on what was then the Mobile to New Orleans road. The road crossed the Pearl River near his place. On several early nineteenth century Mississippi maps you could find "Fordsville" at that location. Ford was a Methodist preacher and a friend to the Methodist Episcopal circuit riders who preached to whites, blacks, and Indians.

The village was near Sandy Hook and Ford's place at township T1N R14E which will be added to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Lamar County:

Founded in 1904 Lamar County was formed from Marion County. In 1910 the population was 11,741. Black Creek and Red Creek which are tributaries of the Pascagoula River originating from Jackson County are significant water bodies.

The original US survey was performed in 1810. The plats were properly stamped "poor quality." We did not find a single label for a creek, much less any fields or paths drawn. Again, the survey notes were missing.

Counties that formed late tend to have shorter WPA histories. That was the case in Lamar County; still there were three Choctaw bands found. One band had two references and was located in township T1N R14W near Lumberton but was probably known as Piotona. Further north in the same township was the town Talowah identified by Cushman (page 492.) Another band was located at Okahola on the north side of Black Creek at township T3N R14W where a dated pipe tomahawk was found in 1922. Another band was noted near Waterloo on Black Creek at township T4N R15W.

These four Choctaw bands are shown at township locations T1N R14W (two bands), T3N R14W, and T4N R15W on Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Forrest County:

Forrest County was founded in 1908. It is a long and rather small county at 470 square miles. The county is drained by the Leaf River and Black Creek.

There is one CIP band shown on Musing 11 Figure 1. We also have less than a dozen CIP distributed over the county.

The original United States survey was conducted in 1810. The survey plats contained no useful information, and the survey notes are not on the BLM GLO website.

The WPA History of Forrest County was informative regarding Choctaws in the county. As a result, we claim additional bands as follows. Near the northeastern corner of the county in the Morristown community were two references to a village north of Mill Creek which included a graveyard. The village likely extended into Jones County. The village could have been called Eastabutchie, a Jones County community just over the county line. Choctaw Joe O'Louis was the leader of four families that remained after removal. The band was situated in township T5N R12W.

A second band was south of this location at township T5N R13W. It was on the Chappell place and included a village and graveyard. Christopher Chappell cared for several Choctaw families.

Two other bands existed on the west side of Leaf River and Bowie River. They were confirmed in the WPA by several of the oldest gentlemen in the county. The description indicated the bands reached from west of Hattiesburg to the Lux community or 12 miles. We looked at a 7.5 minute quad map of the area and found low ground would have broken this large village in two: one in township T5N R14W (and part of township T5N R13W) and the other in township T4N R13W. My impulse was to dismiss the prospects until we looked at Musing 11 Figure 1 and found that we had a CIP band in township T4N R13W. There were also CIP in T5N R14W and T5N R13W.

The WPA cited another Choctaw reference. A preacher by the name John Cooper practiced his trade with the Choctaw of Forrest County (no date provided). At some point Mr. Cooper became the leader of his flock and changed his name to George Washington. Thereafter he disappeared from the pages of the WPA. Could Cooper have been a Methodist circuit rider? Could he have moved his congregation to Louisiana? Unfortunately, all we have is the story and not the location.

We have added the three bands mentioned above in townships T5N R12W, T5N R13W, and T5N R14W to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Perry County:

Perry County was founded in 1820.

We had one CIP band in Perry County shown on Musing 11 Figure 1.

As far as finding another band in the US original survey documents we met with familiar disappointing results. The survey plats dated 1810 indicated one path noted in the entire county.

There were two promising reports in WPA of (Choctaw) Indians at Indian Springs and Richton but the reports lacked details. A relatively late small Choctaw band was located in township T5N R11W on Buck Creek on Jones Place. The band consisted of four families who moved to Oklahoma early in the twentieth century.

This band in township T5N R11W has been added to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Greene County:

Greene County was founded in 1811 but the population did not increase rapidly like the rest of the state. The population increased to only 1,345 in 1820 and 1,854 in 1830.This could mean that the Choctaw living in Greene County were not under white settler pressure like the rest of the state.

The original US survey plats documented a path to/from the Choctaw village of "Yowanne". See VILLAGE LOCATIONS>French Eastern Villages> 1. Yowanni. Other than that the documents were not helpful in finding Choctaw village(s).

Notice we had no CIP bands in Greene County; see Musing 11 Figure 1. There was one CIP in the county and that in township T3N R8W.

However, we have two bands identified by WPA. One of these was described as six miles south of Stateline or township T4N R5W. This is a remote area east of the Chickasawhay River. The second band is about the Mohoba area as described by a settler in township T1N R5W.

We have added these two Choctaw bands in townships T4N R5W and T1N R5W to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

In our opinion additional bands will be found in the county by either field investigation or reading the Methodist Episcopal circuit riders' correspondences. See J. B. Cain archives at Milsaps College.

We move to the west side of the State.

Adams County:

Adams County was opposite to Greene County from a population perspective. Adams County was founded in 1799 but in 1800 had a population of 4,660. How did that happen? Thank the French. The French build Fort Rosalie in 1717. New Orleans was founded by the French in 1721. The French had settlements and plantations in Natchez and up and down the Mississippi River beginning below New Orleans. The French fort and settlements around Fort Rosalie were attacked and destroyed by the Natchez peoples. In turn the Natchez peoples were attacked by the Choctaw in 1730 at the behest of and support of a French Lieutenant Jean Paul Le Sueur. When the French left Louisiana in 1763, the British then the Spanish moved into Natchez. Settlers from the British Colonies settled the area. Natchez and New Orleans became ports as settlers from the interior of the US floated their wares and crops down the Mississippi River.

Natchez became the county seat of Adams. The population increase was dramatic. By 1810 the Adams County population increased to 10,002 and 12,076 in 1820. In short, the Choctaw would have to exhibit a certain tolerance to survive the increase in population.

The original US survey plats of Adams County are interesting in that the settler names are shown on their plots of land. And the coverage of settlement is dramatic. Not many areas of Adams County could support Choctaw villages/bands.

From Musing 11 Figure 1 we did not have any CIP bands in Adams County. Per the BLM GLO website there was one CIP in Adams County.

From the WPA we were surprised to discover a band near Natchez. However, the owners of Saragossa Plantation indicated Choctaw lived in the area and visited the plantation into the 1850s. That band was likely situated southeast of the plantation as the original US survey plats indicate the lands north and west were settled. This band has been added to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2 at township T6N R3W.

Franklin County:

Franklin County was formed in 1809 which was a decade after Adams County to its west. An early road, the Post Road from St. Stephens (Alabama) to Natchez, sometimes called the Three Chopped Way or McClarey's post ran thru Wayne, Jones, Covington, Lawrence, Lincoln, Franklin and Adams counties in Mississippi. Additionally, the Natchez to New Orleans Post Road ran through Franklin County.

Franklin County was formed from two Choctaw/US treaties: the 1801 Fort Adams treaty and the 1805 Mount Dexter Treaty. The lands obtained from Mount Dexter Treaty also formed the counties east of Franklin to the Alabama state line.

The settlement of Franklin County was later than Adams County and the population much less. In 1810 the population of Franklin County was 2,016 and 3,821 in 1820 which was significantly lower than neighboring Adams County.

On Musing 11 Figure 1 we note there were no CIP bands. In addition, we find no CIP in the county.

The original US survey plats dated 1810 (the notes are not available on BLM GLO website) indicated most of the settlement of Franklin County was on the Homochitto River. Did this allow more Choctaw to live in Franklin County?

The WPA History of Franklin dated 1938 had a number of Choctaw references. Most lacked details. We selected two band locations both of which had multiple references. One was a band that lived near Mt. Zion Church. It was located in township T5N R4E. The white settlers in 1820 found "Indian Pictures" carved on the trees.

The other Choctaw band was located at Whiteapple community in township T6N R1E. Choctaw Louis Willis lived there. He had moved from Scott County where his Choctaw parents lived. White Apple was the name of the principal Natchez people's French period village near Fort Rosalie. Interesting the name was applied to Choctaw peoples living in neighboring Franklin County.

Another reference had Choctaw living in township T6N R2W which neighbored the Saragossa Plantation band in Adams County.

We have added two bands in townships: T5N R4E and T6N R1E to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Lincoln County:

Lincoln County was founded in 1870 from five neighboring counties. In its early days it was located on the St. Stephens to Natchez Road which was constructed 1807. The original US surveys were made in 1810. The plats were not notable for our purpose.

There were not any CIP bands noted in Musing 11 Figure 1 although there were a half a dozen scattered CIP.

The Lincoln County WPA history had three references to groups of Choctaw. One was on Cedar Creek at township T8N R5E. A second was at Bogue Chitto community in township T5N R7E. The third was on the east side of the county at township T6N R9E near Perch community.

These three bands, in townships R8N R5E, T5N R7E, and T6N R9E, have been added to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Lawrence County:

Lawrence County was formed from the Choctaw/US Treaty of Mount Dexter dated 1805 and was founded in 1814. It was located on the Postal Road from St. Stephens (Al) to Natchez. The Pearl River divides the county. In fact, township plat 9N 20E, despite the poor quality of the 1810 dated plat, one can make out "Natchez Road".

On Musing 11 Figure 1 we located three CIP bands of Choctaw, all east of the Pearl River. Further, Musing 8 Lawrence County describes the bands.

In the WPA history of Lawrence County we found three bands. The south one is located in T5N R20W on Tilton Creek east of the Pearl River. This band was one of the three CIP bands shown on Musing 11 Figure 1. On Cooper's Creek at township T6N R11E was a second band. Above Monticello is the third WPA band at township T7N R11E. The last two bands are west of the Pearl River.

We have added these two bands located at townships T6N R11E and T7N R11E to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

There are likely more Choctaw bands in Lawrence County. In 1821 a young J.F.H. Claiborne spent a week in Monticello and noted that the town enjoyed a good trade with the Choctaw.

Jefferson Davis County:

Jefferson Davis County was formed from Covington and Lawrence Counties and founded in 1906. The St. Stephens to Natchez Road was noted on three townships. It allowed settlers into Mississippi Territory and State lands from Virginia, Georgia and the Carolinas particularly after the Creek war.

We noted three CIP bands in the county, see Musing 11 Figure 1. These bands were defined in Musing 8 Jefferson Davis County. The three CIP bands were situated on the western side of township T8N R18W and the eastern side of township T8N R19W; township T7N R18W, and township T7N R19W.

From the WPA we found two more Choctaw bands. One is on Whitesand Creek in township T8N R19W. Note this band is one of the CIP bands noted above. The other band is south of Bassfield on Holidays Creek tributaries in township T6N R17W.

We have added the band in township T6N R17W to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Covington County:

Covington County was founded in 1819. The Post Road from St. Stephens to Natchez ran east to west in the northern townships. This road served as the means of access for most settlers.

The original US survey was conducted 1810/11. Generally, the survey plats are of a poor quality and the survey notes are missing. Therefore, the original US survey documents were of no assistance.

There were two CIP bands located on Figure 1 of Musing 11. They were located at townships T9N R14W and T7N R15W.

The WPA of Covington County indicated several possible locations for Choctaw bands. We opted for one which was located one mile from the St. Stephens to Natchez Road in township T9N R15W which was on Oakohay Creek. There was a WPA reference to a Choctaw ball ground, but the survey notes are missing. One WPA writer noted that the Choctaw who remained in the county after The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek numbered in the hundreds. Further he indicated they all left after the War Between the States. We think other bands will be found.

The band in township T9N R15W is shown on Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Jones County:

Jones County was founded in 1826 from lands ceded by the Choctaw to the United States via the 1805 Treaty of Mount Dexter. As a result, the original US survey was conducted in 1810. Settlement came from the Post Road from St. Stephens to Natchez and Mobile. However, the 1830 population was only 1,471 and 1840 only 1,258.

We had one CIP band in Musing 11 Figure 1. In Musing 8 Jones County the band was located in the center and southern sections of township T7N R12W and the northern sections of township T6N R12W.

The WPA was not helpful in discovering Choctaw bands. We did find a judge's report which said in 1899 there was a huge Choctaw ballgame that lasted three days and attended by Choctaw from Scott, Neshoba and Newton Counties. Another contributor noted that most Jones County Choctaws went west. However, there were enough Choctaw remaining for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw to establish the Bogue Homa Reservation. We believe the Methodist Episcopal circuit riders will reveal many more Choctaw bands that lived in Jones County prior to 1832.

Wayne County:

Wayne County was founded in 1809 while Mississippi was still a territory. Just before its founding the St. Stephens to Natchez Road was established. It entered the county in the northeast and ran southwestward before turning west to Natchez in Adams County. Winchester was the first town. A road was constructed from Winchester to Brandon/Jackson about 1818. See Musing 10. The population of Wayne County rose to 3,323 in 1820 and then dropped in 1830 to 2,781 and again in 1840 to 2,120. Some suppose the land had already played out and residents left chasing the good cotton lands.

We had one CIP band in township T10N R6W, see Musing 11 Figure 1. This band was on the Little Bogue Homa Creek.

The WPA History of Wayne County has the best section on the Choctaw so far and deserves special merit for its sections on historic roads. However, the WPA lacked mentioning the personal contacts that the early settlers had with the Choctaw.

We suggest that someone looking for locations of Choctaw bands look in township T10N R9W near Eucutta or "Ucutta"as noted on the original survey plat. Additionally, we suggest looking in township T10N R5W. Both of these townships had CIP.

We move west to the Mississippi River.

Jefferson County:

Jefferson County is north of Adams County. It was founded in 1799. Jefferson County experienced rapid growth. In 1800 the population was 2,940. In 1810 it reached 4,001. It kept growing through 1860.

We did not find any Choctaw CIP bands (1836); see Musing 11 Figure 1.

Frankly, we were not expecting to find any bands or villages from the WPA. Surprise, there was a large village living in Uniontown in 1797 or before. Coincidentally the Reverend Joseph Bullen was charged by the Presbyterian Mission Board of New York to establish a mission among the Chickasaw. He lived near Pontotoc and witnessed to the Chickasaw beginning 1799. In 1803 he moved most of his family to Uniontown. The Choctaw village mentioned above reportedly left Uniontown in one night. Was that before Bullen settled in Uniontown or after? Did Bullen minister to the Choctaw before their move? We know Bullen was instrumental in creating a number of Presbyterian Churches in Jefferson County. The Choctaw village was located near the Natchez Trace in township T9N R1W.

We have added the band in township T9N R1W to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Copiah County:

Copiah County was formed from lands ceded by the Choctaw to the United States via the Treaty of Doak's Stand 1820. Copiah County was founded 1823. By 1830 the population was 7,001.

Musing 11 Figure 1 indicates seven CIP bands circa 1836. Musing 8 Copiah County describes the bands.

The original United States Survey plats dating 1822 indicated two villages which were included in the CIP bands. On the Melish Map of Mississippi dated 1820 you will find "Sally Jones" in lower Copiah County or what was to become Copiah County. Sally Jones must have had a stand west of the Pearl River near General Carroll's Trace and north of the St. Stephens to Natchez Post Road or Three Chopped Way. Sally Jones place was located at township T9N R10E Section 18 by the surveyors. Was Sally Jones a Choctaw?

We did not find a reference to Sally Jones in the WPA History of Copiah County. However, there were two Choctaw village locations provided. One was included in the CIP bands mentioned above. The other was in the north end of township T9N R7E close to one CIP in township T10N R7E.

We have added township T9N R7E to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Simpson County:

Simpson County was founded in 1824. In 1830 the population was 2,680 much less than Copiah County.

On Figure 1 Musing 11 we noted three CIP bands. These bands were located in Musing 8 Simpson County: township T2N R2E, township T1N R4E, and township T10N 17W.

On the original US survey plat we found a village at township T2N R6E which had "White Oak Springs" labeled on the original US survey plat and two paths running by and near the spring.

In the WPA there was a village at township T1N R5E. This village was called Six Towns and the writer stated that additional Six Town villages were in Smith and Jasper counties. This village also was near a spring. While the St. Stephens to Natchez Road was south of Simpson County the old Choctaw Indian path leading from the Old Choctaw Agency in Clarke County to Natchez ran through Jasper, Smith, and Simpson counties. Another village was located at Indian Springs near Pinola. The village was at located in township T1N R3E.

To conclude we have added three more bands/villages: one from the survey plat at township T2N R6E and two from the WPA in townships T1N R5E and T1N R3E. These villages have been added to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 3.

Smith County:

Smith County was founded in 1833 from the lands ceded by the Choctaw in the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. We indicated three CIP bands located at townships T3N R6E, T3N R8E, and T2N R9E and shown on Musing 11 Figure 1. These bands were defined in Musing 2 Smith County. Musing 2 Figure 7 indicates the CIP in each township in the county.

From the original US survey plats we find three additional bands in townships T4N R7E, T3N R8E, and T1N R9E. These plats exhibited paths at locations on creeks similar to historic French period Choctaw village locations. We note that township T3N R8E was also a CIP band. Jackson's Military Road ran southwest to northeast through the southeast corner of the county. See Musing 12 Figure 1.

In the WPA Smith County History we found bands at townships T1N R7E on Oakahay and Hatchapaloo Creeks; T10N R16W on Clear Creek; on Shongelo Creek at T3N R8E; and T4N R7E near Trenton called Checoolashee. The WPA band at township T3N R8E was also a CIP band and found on the survey plat; the band at township T4N R7E was also found on the survey plat. All of these bands were likely called Six Towns.

Four bands at townships T1N R9E, T1N R7E, T4N R7E, and T10N R16W are added to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2. All of these bands had CIP.

Jasper County:

Jasper County was created in 1833 from territory obtained by the United States via the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. The population in 1840 was 3,958. On Musing 12 Figure 1 we find Jackson's Military Road and the Winchester to Brandon Road crossing very near Garlandville. The Winchester to Brandon Road also crossed the St. Stephens to Natchez Road allowing settlers coming from the eastern US states to access the interior of the state. In 1833 John Garland operated a stand there. John Garland was the son of Major James Garland and Malinda Garland, a Choctaw. John Garland had several children, one of which, Samuel Garland was to become Principal Chief of the Choctaw Nation.

As stated previously Jasper County Choctaw were called Sixtown Indians for the most part. In the French period of this website, see Village Locations, we find the Eastern, the Western, and Sixtown groups. Also, in the Village Locations you find the British Sixtown Villages. Note that the British Sixtown villages were densely settled probably as a result of the Choctaw Civil War. Sometime during the British period, the Sixtown peoples like the Eastern and Western parts began moving out of their villages for the purpose of raising livestock.

On Musing 11 Figure 1 we find three CIP bands in townships T3N R10E, T4N R11E, and T1N R13E. There were other CIP in the county; see Musing 1 Figure 5.

The original United States survey was conducted mostly in 1832. In fact, the density of paths and fields in townships T2N R10E, T3N R11E, T4N R11E, and T3N R12E indicate settlements or bands of Choctaw. Note the township T4N R11E is a repeat from the CIP bands. The band in township T2N R10E was located on Tallahala and Tallahoma Creeks. The band in township T3N R11E lay southeast of Jackson Military Road and mostly on Tallahala Creek. The band in township T3N R12E was situated on Attahomaki Creek along the Winchester Road; see Musing 10. Each of these three townships had CIP per Musing 1 Figure 5.

In the WPA History of Jasper County we found two references to Choctaw villages. The first at Moss Hill and north of Moss Hill noted a village named Possum Town. That village was located in township T4N R12E. The second reference was to Rose Hill and north where late eighteenth century artifacts were found. That location would be township T4N R13E. Both of these townships had CIP per Musing 1 Figure 5.

Note the mission and school at Missionary (Goshen) was located in T3N R12E Section 15. The surveyors took time to draw the mission's buildings on the plat.

We have added five Choctaw bands in townships T2N R10E; T3N R11E; and T3N R12E, T4N R12E and T4N R13E to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Clarke County:

Like Jasper County, Clarke County was founded in 1833. It grew slower than Jasper with its 1840 population of 2,986. On Musing 11 Figure 1 we found one CIP band in township T2N R14E which was near Pachuta.

The survey plats indicated bands at townships T4N R14E and T2N R17E.

The WPA noted villages at Enterprise and Shubuta. Enterprise is located at township T4N R14E Section 24. That township was also noted as a band above based on the survey plat. Shubuta is located in the same township T10N R7W as the French Period village of Yowanni.

We have added bands at townships T4N R14E, T2N R17E, and T10N R7W on Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

We move west to the Mississippi River.

Claiborne County:

Claiborne County was founded in 1802. The 1810 population was 3,102, and the 1820 population was 5,963.

We did not have any bands or groups of CIP, see Musing 11 Figure 1, but there were two CIP in township T12N R5E on the border with Copiah County.

The original United States survey documents did not yield any Choctaw village/band locations.

The WPA indicated that Choctaw lived in the vicinity of Port Gibson, and the Choctaw women picked cotton. The WPA also indicated Choctaw Creek was a favorite camping ground of the Choctaw. It turns out that Choctaw Creek is a tributary of Bayou Pierre which was the focus of white settlement. But there was not much unsettled land at Port Gibson for Choctaw occupation. Choctaw Creek was neither settled nor subdivided at the time of the US original survey or 1822. The reference to Choctaw Creek collects two CIP mentioned above so there was Choctaw occupation there. Choctaw Creek is in township T12N R5E. Likely this band of Choctaws picked cotton post 1820 when cotton seed was improved and crop yields improved.

We add township T12N R5E to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Warren County:

Warren County was founded in 1809. It developed along the Mississippi River and its eastern tributaries. The county grew slowly with populations in 1810-1,114; 1820-2,693; 1830-7,861, but exploded to 15,820 in 1840. The Yazoo River discharges into the Mississippi River in Warren County.

We did not have any CIP Bands on Musing 11 Figure 1. The county had three CIP.

The original US survey plats were revealing. Two villages/bands were noted in township T17N R5E because of the density of paths and township T18N R5E and R4E because of the note "Ballground" and "Ballground" and "Cornhouse" Creeks. Per the original surveyor the Choctaw Ballground was located on top of a prairie (T18N R5E Section 18), which may be a clue to finding other Choctaw ball grounds. The two villages were separated by seven or eight miles. This is the first ball ground we have seen on any Mississippi township plat. The fields near the Ballground were drawn larger than typical Choctaw fields. Equally interesting is the name Cornhouse. Were the larger fields documenting the need for a communal Cornhouse? Or could the area of the prairie and ballground have doubled as a horse pen? That could explain the need for large corn stores. (Horsepens or enclosures which we have seen a half dozen labeled in the survey notes may be a second ball ground location tell.

The WPA referenced an antebellum Ballground Plantation near that location and noted that the Choctaw Ballground that preceded the plantation was nationally known. There were no other specific references to Choctaw villages in the WPA. Likely, early newspapers and/or Methodist Episcopal circuit riders will yield additional information?

The two villages/bands in townships T17N R5E and T18N R4E and R5E have been added to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Hinds County:

Hinds County was formed in 1821. By 1830 the population had reached 8,645 and 19,098 in 1840. One would think that the high population would not have been benevolent to the Choctaw.

There were CIP in Hinds County but not geographically gathered in bands. Therefore, on Musing 11 Figure 1 we do not indicate any CIP bands. There were CIP in Hinds County; see BLM GLO website, search Patents, and next select Choctaw Scrip under Miscellaneous.

In the original US survey plats an "Indian Settlement" is shown on township plat of T6N R1W Sections 13/14 on Bogue Chitto Creek. Another village was noted in the WPA History of Hinds County near Edwards at township T6N R4W. Neither of these villages had CIP meaning the occupants likely moved before 1836.

The villages/bands in townships T6N R1W and T6N R4W have been added to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Rankin County:

Rankin County was founded in 1828. By 1830 the population was 2,083 and 4,631 in 1840 which was much less than neighboring Hinds County.

We had three CIP bands in Rankin County as shown on Musing 11 Figure 1. In Musing 8 Rankin County these were defined in townships T5N R2E, T3N R4E, and T4N R4E combined with T4N R5E. There were additional CIP in the county which can be found on BLM GLO website.

We have two bands that we have taken from the original US survey plats which were surveyed in 1821/22. The first band is located in township T7N R3E. It had a number of fields and paths. There was a ferry crossing of the Pearl River near the band. We find that there were 3 CIP there as well. The second band is located in township T5N R5E which has a number of paths. It is south of Pelahatchie.

The WPA had a reference for a Choctaw camp but did not indicate that it was continuously occupied.

We have added two additional bands to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2 in townships T7N R3E and T5N R5E.

Scott County:

Scott County was founded in 1833 following the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. The population only achieved 1,653 by 1840.

On Musing 11 Figure 1 we show three CIP bands at townships T5N R7E, T7N R7E, and T8N R8E. There were other CIP in the county; see Musing 2 Figure 8.

The original US survey for most of the county was conducted in 1832/33. Reviewing the plats we selected township T6N R7E as a band due to the number of paths. We also picked township T8N R8E due to the number of paths. But we had already selected this township as a CIP band in Musing 11 Figure 1.

The WPA History of Scott County stated that Piketon was an important Choctaw village. The band was likely west of Tuscalameta and east of Hontokalo Creeks. We located the band or village at township T7N R9E which includes CIP noted on Musing 2 Figure 8.

The WPA indicated the remaining Indians lived in the northern part of the county near Sebastopol. This location would be on the Sipsey Creek in township T8N R9E.

Lastly, we reviewed the distribution of CIP in townships T5N R6E and T6N R6E and added a band in township T6N R6E to include most of those CIP. The CIP were generally west of the Strong River and its tributaries.

We have added bands to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2 in townships T6N R6E, T6N R7E, T8N R9E, and T7N R9E.

Newton County:

Newton County was founded in 1836 from land ceded by the Choctaws to the United States at the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. We consider Newton County a Choctaw homeland county as several French Period Eastern and Western Villages were located in the county as were the British Period Sixtown Villages (see VILLAGE LOCATIONS on the home page).

In Musing 1 Newton County we had three CIP bands in townships T8N R13E (Bistasha) , T7N R13E (Abissa), and T5N and T6N R13E (Chunki Chitto). See Musing 11 Figure 1. Additional CIP are shown in Musing 1 Figure 3.

We did not find any other bands from the review of the original US survey plats.

In the WPA history we find that Chunki Chitto was also called "Old Chunkeyville." Also, from the WPA a band of 300 Choctaw called "Nanah Waiyans" lived around Conehatta. This reference was passed down by Peter Fulsom (Folsom) in 1878. This band was located in township T7N R10E. This band likely organized after removal to Choctaw Nation, and was attached to a church at Conehatta. Peter Fulsom visited and preached there from the Choctaw Nation.

The WPA also referenced a mixed Choctaw and white settler village near Union. It was called "Wolf Territory." This band appears to date beginning 1829. Union developed slowly so this band could have lasted a decade or more. This band was located in township T8N R11E and extended into Neshoba County.

To Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2 we have added the Nanah Waiyan band at Conehatta in township T7N R10E and Wolf Territory band at Union in township T8N R11E.

Lauderdale County:

Lauderdale County was founded in 1833 from land ceded by the Choctaws to the United States at the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. We consider Lauderdale County a Choctaw homeland county as several French Period Eastern Villages were located in the county (see VILLAGE LOCATIONS on the home page).

In Musing 1 Lauderdale County we find five CIP bands in townships T7N R18E (Kewaneee), T7N R17E (Toomsuba), T5N R14E (a part of Chunki Chitto in Newton County), T6N R18E (Allamucha), and T6N R15E (Okatibbee). See Musing 11 Figure 1. There were other CIP in the county, see Musing 1 Figure 4.

The original US survey documents were produced in 1832/33. The plat of townshipT8N R16E reveals a number of Choctaw fields and paths. This is the remnant of the French Eastern Part village of Coosa on the western side of the plat and where Oklahoma and Charles Juzon lived on the eastern side about 1830. There were two CIP shown on Musing 1 Figure 4.

The WPA of Lauderdale County acknowledged Choctaw villages at Kewanee, Toomsuba, Chunki Chitto, Panthe and Old Town. We covered the villages at Kewanee, Toomsuba, and Chunki Chitto in the CIP bands above. Panthe was a French period eastern village which was a dependency of Coosa and located in township T8N R17E south of "Ponta" or Panthe Creek. However, the French period Panthe moved northwest to British period Panthe in township T8N R16E Section 1. There were 10 CIP in the southeast corner of the township. We will add another band for US period Panthe. Old Town or Oldtown was a village a few miles south of Kewanee. We believe Old Town and Kewanee was the same band.

The net change to bands/villages is we have added two bands in township T8N R16E including US period Coosa and Panthe which were separated by five miles.

Issaquena County:

Issaquena County was founded in 1844. The 1850 population was 4,478. Most of its settlement was via the Mississippi River.

There were no CIP bands or individual CIP in the county.

The original US survey documents did not yield any concentration of fields or paths.

The WPA History of Issaquena County indicated that Choctaw Chief Alexander Hamilton had a Spanish land grant in township T13N R9W Section 27. We did not find his name in the CIP patents or a note at that location on the township plat. In fact, the plat indicated that the entire area had been subdivided for white settlement.

We do not have any bands in Issaquena County to add to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Sharkey County:

Sharkey County was founded in 1876 from parts of neighboring counties including Issaquena.

We did not have any CIP bands in the county; however, there were 4 CIP in the county.

The original United States survey plats did not reveal any obvious Choctaw bands or settlements.

Further, we did not have access to the WPA History of Sharkey County.

We do not have any bands in Sharkey County on Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Yazoo County:

Yazoo County was founded in 1823 and formed from land acquired by the United States in the Treaty of Doak's Stand 1820. By 1830 the population had reached 6,550. The improved strains of cotton propelled the population growth to 1860. The Big Black River forms the eastern county border and the Yazoo River forms the southwestern county border and bisects the county.

Musing 11 Figure 1 does not show Yazoo County as there were no CIP bands. There were CIP but they were not concentrated enough to call a band. We will discuss some of the individual CIP below.

Most of the US original survey was performed in the mid-1820s. The interior section's surveyor indicated on the plat of township T10N R1E that there was an "Indian Village" in Sections 12 and 13. Note there are several paths in that area. The village is on Pickett Creek north of the Big Black River. There were three CIP in that township meaning that the band/village survived until 1836 at least.

There are features including roads, prairies, and fields in township T9N R4W which indicate a village north of Hall's Road and south of "Big Cain Creek". There were CIP in that township.

A third band was identified on the township plat of township T12N R2W. It had all the hunting and fishing advantages of the Yazoo River and a slough and several large prairies. There were no CIP in the township or the neighboring township south.

The WPA provided no pertinent Choctaw village/band information.

We have added three bands/villages in townships T10N R1E, T9N R4W, and T12N R2W to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Madison County:

Madison County was formed from lands ceded by the Choctaw to the United States in the Treaty of Doak's Stand. Madison County was founded in 1828. The population in 1830 was 4,973 and 15,530 in 1840. The Big Black River formed the western county border and the Pearl River formed the eastern county border. See Musing 11 Figure1. One would think the Choctaw would have been attracted to the river bottoms for their cattle grazing.

The Natchez Road ran along the townships bordering the Pearl River. See Musing 12 Figure 1. The Robinson Road joined the Natchez Trace in eastern Madison County.

On Musing 11 Figure 1 we noted one CIP band in township T9N R5E which included CIP in township T10N R5E.

The original US survey was made in mid 1820s. Survey plats indicated the likelihood of a Choctaw village in township T7N R2E which extended into the NW corner of township T7N R3E and SW corner of township T8N R3E. In addition to paths there were prairies in the townships which attracted game. Two major roads: Carroll's Trace and the Natchez Trace (Mail Road) intersect in this township. There were no CIP in the township. The Choctaw Agency was in neighboring township T7N R1E which the surveyors noted on the plat. Also, in township T7N R2E we have noted the improvement of district chief "Pukshunnabbe" (Apukshunnubbee) and "Brashear's Field". The survey notes did not yield which of the Choctaw notable Brashears family owned the field.

Although lengthy, the WPA did not provide specific Choctaw band/village information.

We have added one band in township T7N R2E to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Leake County:

Leake County was founded in 1833 following the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. The 1840 population was 2,162.

In Musing 11 Figure 1 we indicated four CIP bands or villages in these townships: T11N R8E except southeast corner; T11N R9E and southeast corner of T11N R8E; T10N R7E; and T11N R7E. These bands were discussed in Musing 2 Leake County. There are other CIP in Leake County; see Musing 2 Figure 9.

We reexamined the location of each CIP in townships T9N R7E and T9N R8E as they are all on the same creek system, the Tuscalameta Creek. We combined the CIP into one band in township T9N R7E and placed the center near Tuscola community.

The original US survey plats which dated 1832/33 indicated townships which could have bands including townships: T11N R8E, T11N R9E, and T12N R8E. Some of the features noted by the surveyors include …township T11N R8E had "Yellow Butcha" Creek and Pearl River as well as fields and the Robinson Road. Recall above township TIIN R8E is part of two CIP bands mentioned above. Township T11N R9E featured several paths including a Pearl River crossing. It was also a CIP band shown on Musing 11 Figure 1. Township T12N R8E had 7 CIP per Musing 2 Figure 9, and it was not a CIP band. The township included Yellow Butcha Creek, Sam Cobb's improvement, Westin's Store, and Robinson Road. Of the three bands identified by the survey plats we add township T12N R8E as a band. The Leake County WPA was one of the best written regards the Choctaw. For instance, a writer said the best water spring in the county was at the Old Sam Cobb's place which we mentioned above. Further, it said that Hopoca was the location of a Choctaw council house. Was this after removal? The date was not given. Hopoca was located in township T11N R8E where we have as a CIP band.

The Attala County WPA provided the name and location of a band in northern Leake County. The band was near Dossville on Socki Creek at township T12N R7E called the Socki Band.

Benjamin Leflore, the brother of Greenwood Leflore, lived in township T10N R6E where he operated a ferry on the Yockanookany River and the Robinson Road. The township had six CIP which we will call a band. His grandson Presley Groves was born there so the band lasted some time. Groves' mother was Sarah Leflore. Groves stayed in Mississippi and was elected twice to the Mississippi House and twice to the Mississippi Senate. Likely this band was called Ofahoma.

To Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2 we have added four bands in townships T9N R7E, T10N R6E, T12N R8E and T12N R7E.

Neshoba County:

Neshoba County was formed in 1833 from lands the Choctaw ceded to the US in the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. The county population in 1840 was 2,437 or about the same as Leake County, but low when compared to the rest of the state.

During the French Period the Western villages were found on the eastern side of Neshoba County, see VILLAGE LOCATIONS French Western Villages. Most of the largest French Period villages did not move significantly in the British, Spanish and US periods.

On Musing 11 Figure 1 there are six CIP bands in Neshoba County which are discussed in Musing 1 Neshoba County. The bands' locations and names are townships T11N R13E Coffedelia, T12N R13E Bok Chito, T10N R13E Cushtusha, T9N R13E West Imongalasha, T11N R10E Beasher, and T9N R10E Seven Towns.

There were additional CIP in the county as shown on Musing 1 Figure 1. The original US survey documents were produced in 1833/34. Despite the CIP dating 1836 the US surveyors did not report many of their locations by fields or paths. In fact, most of the creeks on the plats were not named. The surveyors were not held to a high standard and their work was consistently inconsistent. Put another way, if one looks at any survey plat of Neshoba County, where are the fields and paths of the CIP shown on Musing 1 Figure 1?

The county WPA history yielded another band. There was a large band in township T12N R11E near Burnsides along Pinishook and Hurricane Creeks. The WPA indicated there were hundreds of Choctaw in the band. Per Swanton we can call this band Pinishook.

This band in township T12N R11E has been added to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Kemper County:

Kemper County was formed in 1833 from lands the Choctaw ceded to the US in the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. The county population in 1840 was 7,663 or triple Neshoba County.

During the French Period the Eastern villages were mostly found on the western side of Kemper County, see VILLAGE LOCATIONS French Eastern Villages. Most of the largest French Period villages did not move significantly into the British and Spanish Periods.

During the US period the Jackson Military Road was built which connected New Orleans with Columbus, and Muscle Shoals, Al. In addition, the Factory Road was built from the Robinson Road in Leake County to the trading post (factory) at US Fort Confederation formerly French Fort Tombecbe. See Musing 9 Figure 1 and Musing 11 Figure 2.

On Musing 11 Figure 1 there are five CIP bands in Kemper County which are discussed in Musing 1 Kemper County. The bands' locations and names are townships T11N R14E Couechitto; T12N R14E Bok Chito; T11N R16 Bouctoucoulou and Olitassa; T10N R17E Sukinatchi or Factory Indians, and T9N R14E Kushak. There were additional CIP in the county as shown on Musing 1 Figure 2.

The original US survey documents were produced in 1833/34. Despite the CIP dating 1836 the US surveyors did not report many of the CIP locations by either fields or paths. In fact, most of the creeks were not named.

The WPA provided information relative to the location of several villages. The first involved a Poole's store and an early settler 1833 named Charles Tinsley. The settlement was on Houston Creek in southwest Kemper County or township T9N R14E. This location is the same as our French Period Eastern Village of Boucchito and the later band Kushak above. This township is also the home of Tallachulak band below.

Another WPA reference was to a collector Mr. Key who had large collection of silver and beads. The location provided is contiguous to our location of French Period East Yazo Skatane.

As this collection likely dates to the 1770-90s and its location coincides with our French Period village we will not add a band to our Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Also, in the northwest of the county a Hugh Davies Gaston had a trading post near Preston. This location would be near the Bok Chito band.

The WPA provided a reference to a small band called Tubby Indians which was located east of Bok Chitos in township T12N R14E. Jimson Tubby was the last Choctaw living there.

Also, in the WPA are likely very late band references (1900?)…"There were two settlements of this tribe in Kemper County one in southwest near the present site of Tallachulak church, the other between the present town of Daleville and Black Water." Tallachulak Church was a Methodist church and school in the southwest corner of the county on Tullachula Creek. The band lived in the vicinity of the church and school. Kidwell (page 178) provided dates of Tallachulak about 1891-1903 coinciding with the term of a Methodist pastor named Carmack . The Tallachulak Band was located in township T9N R14E.

The second settlement mentioned above includes our French Period Eastern Village of Oaka lossa or Blackwater which was located north of Black Water Creek in township T9N R16E. We will call this band Blackwater.

To Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2 we add three bands one for the Tubby Indians in township T12N R14E; another for Tallachulak band in township T9N R14E; and township T9N R16E for Blackwater band.

Washington County:

Humphreys County was founded in 1918.

From Musing 11 Figure 1 we do not find Humphreys County as having any CIP bands. There were 4 CIP in the County.

Regarding the original US survey documents, there were a few paths drawn on the plats but the notes did not reveal any fuller description beyond an isolated road or path. There were no bands or villages revealed in the documents.

The WPA History of Humphreys County proved no help either. There was one reference about Choctaw visiting in the fall to trade their baskets and blow guns. They camped near the communities of Lamkin and Fort Place.

Holmes County:

Holmes County was formed in 1833 from lands the Choctaw ceded the US government via the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. The 1840 population was 9,452. The western boundary of the county is the Yazoo River, and the eastern boundary is the Big Black River.

On Musing 11 Figure 1 there were three CIP bands in Holmes County which were discussed in Musing 8 Holmes County. The bands' township locations and names are: T14N R4E Bogue Lusa, T15N R3E and R4E Bogue Lusa, and T14N R1W Bee Lake. There were CIP in the county, and most of these were located in the northern half of the county. Notable adopted Choctaw Louis Durant lived for a time in the town of Durant which was named in his honor.

There are prospective bands in the original US survey documents produced in 1833/34. First is township T16N R1W which is in the eastern part of the county. This band offered a large oxbow named Ponchartoola Lake by the surveyors which was surrounded by a band of prairie. Within the township were another 5 prairies which were valued for game. Additionally, there are a score or more of small lakes. And there were three fields and two long paths shown. These features combined for a great environment for a small band. To the east Louis Leflore owned properties in townships T16N R1E and R2E. The Rankin to Memphis Road ran though the southeast corner of the township. This band was likely named Ponchartoola.

There was a larger band located in township T15N R2E along Long Creek and Fannegusuher Creek. There were several fields, including Mr. Wards who was the US Choctaw agent, paths and a "waggon" road. There were also several CIP located in the township.

This band extended north into township T16N R2E but was separated from the band in township T15N R2E by Fannegusher Creek. The number of paths is impressive on both sides of Fannegusher Creek. Because of the size of the bands we will have bands in both townships. We will hazard a guess that Fannegusher was the name of these bands. There were CIP located in the bands.

Another small band was located in T13N R1W on "Tesheah" (Tesheva) Creek, a tributary of the Yazoo River. The land featured a large prairie within a swamp with several paths. There are no CIP. The band could have extended into Yazoo County.

The Holmes County WPA was informative. There were two reports of an Indian village at Pickens but there was also a mound there or near there. Most of the WPA writers associated all mounds, notwithstanding size or shape, with the historic Choctaw.

A Choctaw camp ground was noted two miles east of Ebenezer near a spring. It was not called a village.

To Holmes County we have added four more bands as shown on Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2 in townships T16N R1W; T15N R2E; T16N R2E; and T13N R1W.

Attala County:

Attala County was formed in 1833 from lands the Choctaw ceded the US via the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. The 1840 population was 4,303 which was less than its neighbor Holmes County.

On Musing 11 Figure 1 there is one CIP band in Attala County which was discussed in Musing 2 Attala County. The band's township location and name were: T14N R5E Apookta Creek. We find in the WPA that the band was called the Durant Indians (not Apookta). Why Durant Indians? Adopted Choctaw notable Louis Durant lived in T15N R5E per the original US survey plat. (Note: For the hard core, Apookta was used as the band and creek name per Cushman (page 480.)

There were additional CIP in the county, see Musing 2 Figure 10.

There were prospective bands in the original US survey documents produced in 1833/34. First was township T15N R7E which was in the north central part of the county. The village was north of the Natchez Road and had a number of paths. (Per the WPA an Indian village was located in township T15N R7E on lands close to Daniel McMillan, an original settler). There was one CIP in the township.

Another band was found in township T14N R7E along the Natchez Road and mostly north of the Yockanookany River. There were a number of paths. There were 3 CIP in the township.

A small band was noted in township T16N R5E on Big Black Creek. The band was expressed by the surveyor as a number of fields. There were no CIP in the township.

The WPA History of Attala County offered this revealing information concerning band names…
Attala County had four minor tribes (bands): the Red Dog Indians in the southern part, near the line between Leake and Attala Counties; the Durant Indians along the Big Black River; and the Sockey and Red Water Indians who lived in the southeastern part of the county. The Sockey band lived in Leake County a few miles east of Dossville just across Attala County line. (We added this band to Leake County).

As if to confirm at least part of the band names, in Leake County WPA there was a Red Dog Road that led from Carthage to the northwest.

Also from the Attala WPA . . .In 1812 the Rutherford family were the first settlers on Bolatusha Creek where there was an Indian village. That band location was fixed in township T13N R6E. As noted above this band would have been part of the Red Dog band and likely extended south into Leake County towards the Bolatusha community in extreme northern Leake County. The Rutherford's owned land in township T13N R6E Section 28 Attala County.

In Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2 we are adding four bands to Attala County in townships T15N R7E; T14N R7E; T16N R5E and T13N R6E.

Winston County:

Winston County was formed from lands the Choctaw ceded the United States by the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek and founded in 1833. The 1840 county population was 4,650 or similar to Attala County. The Robinson Road bisected the county from southwest to northeast; see Musing 12 Figure 1.

Note the only CIP band, shown Musing 11 Figure 1, was township T13N R14E in the southeastern corner of the county. The distribution of CIP within the county's townships is shown on Musing 2 Figure 11.

The original US survey plat of township T15N R13E which was completed in 1834 proved favorable for a village as it had several paths southeast of the Robinson Road. Additionally, there was a lake and the head waters of several small streams including Mill Creek. There were also CIP who lived there 1836. The village likely extended east into the western half of township T15N R14E. There was a Choctaw ballground on the eastern side. The original US surveyor recorded "Ball ground Creek" between sections 11 and 14. The interior sections were surveyed in 4th quarter of 1833; therefore, the ball ground dated prior to then.

Another township plat indicated a small village in township T16N R14E southeast of Robinson Road in the northeastern corner of the county. The village or band was on Loakfoma Creek and the community of Loakfoma was nearby. Several CIP were located there.

The WPA of Winston County had excellent early settler and settlement details. The following bands/villages were taken from the text.

The WPA indicated there were four Choctaw traders: James Bell, John Coulter, James Wilson and Matthew Scott.

An election was held in 1834 on land west of Louisville and near the Old Robinson Road. The site was previously an Indian village. In fact, Choctaw John Wade owned the land per the WPA. Indian trader Matthew Scott lived in this village. The patent search of BLM GLO website found John Wade's property at township T15N R12E Section 33. Tallahaga and Town Creeks drained this village area. There were several CIP located in this band.

The WPA indicated that a village stood at Choctaw Clarissa Wilson's farm nine miles from Louisville on the Robinson Road. Choctaw Clarissa Wilson's house was shown on the survey plat at township T14N R11E Section 27. Clarissa Wilson was the half-sister of Choctaw District Chief Greenwood Leflore (Lefleur) who married James Wilson in 1809. Wilson was an Indian trader. They lived on Noxapater Creek. Swanton indicated a Noxapater band in Winston County; we have a name for the band. Another band/village was located by the WPA in the northern sections of township T13N R 11E which was south of the band in township T14N R11E above and east of Pinishook Creek. The location of the village was provided by L.N. Hall, the property owner.

Yet another village was located independent of the band above by the WPA. It was near Plattsburg community and Pinishook Creek. It was located in the southern part of township T13N R11E.

We have added six bands to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2 namely: townships T15N R13E; T16N R14E; T15N R12E; T14N R11E; T13N R11 north; and T13N R11E south.

Noxubee County:

Noxubee County was formed in 1833 from lands the Choctaw ceded the US through the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. The 1840 Noxubee County population was 9,975 which was much higher than Winston and Attala Counties.

Noxubee County had one CIP band, shown on Musing 11 Figure 1, which was located in township T13N R16E near the southwestern corner of the county. The number of CIP within the county's townships is shown on Musing 2 Figure 12. Swanton and Cushman knew of bands that existed in the county which we discussed in Musing 2 Noxubee County.

Let's look at the original US survey records. First of all, there are two dominant features in the county. The first is the number and size of the prairies. The prairies begin in the southwest townships and get larger and more frequent as you move northeast. Second, the Jackson Military Road runs from southwest to northwest towards Columbus, MS. That said, there are several bands in the prairie lands. The largest encompasses three contiguous townships: south ¾ ths of T16N R19E, the southeast 1/4th of T16N R18E, and the north 1/2 of T15N R19E. The densest occupation area is T16N R19. There were CIP in townships T16N R19E and T15N R19E which we will add as bands.

The second densest occupation, judging by the number of fields, is the northern three quarters of township T15N R17E or that part of the township north of Macon. Per Musing 2 Figure 12 there was one CIP in the township.

To the south of Macon is township T14N R17E which has occupation on the east half. There was one CIP in the township. South of that is township T13N R17E which had occupation roughly from Shuqulak southeast to the east township line or about 50% of the township. There were 3 CIP in the township.

It is interesting that we did not see any fields or paths near Mushulaville or in the western half of the county.

However, two WPA reports confirmed a village at Mashulatubbee's house or township T14N R15E Sections 3 and 10. There were 3 CIP in the township.

Another WPA writer stated the Indians preferred the prairie soils of the eastern side of the county for their cattle and horses grazing. The white settlers on the other hand preferred the more porous loam soils on western side for their crops.

Cushman (page 484) indicated that Peter Pitchlynn was born in Noxubee County in a town named Hushookwa. The Noxubee County community of Hashuqua was located in the northwest corner of township T13N R15E and "Harshuqua" Creek in township T14N R15E. Both townships had CIP. We credit Cushman with this band in the southern half of township T14N R15E and the northern half of township T13N R15E. Later in life, Peter Pitchlynn was a Choctaw Principal Chief of the Choctaw Nation.

On Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2 we add seven bands in townships T14N R15E, T13N R15E; T16N R19E, T15N R19E, T15N R17E, T14N R17E, and T13N R17E.

Cushman (page 131) related the story of the Great Ball Play and Fight on Noxubee. The story is lengthy. To be brief, about 1800 the Creek peoples and Choctaw had a ball game to contest the rights to a beaver pond on the Noxubee River. After the game, a fight resulted which allegedly killed several hundred warriors. That ball game was played in township T13N R18E perhaps in Sections 21 and 22 assuming Cushman was correct about the name of the property owner after the ball game.

Bolivar County:

Bolivar County was formed in 1836 from lands the US government acquired from the Choctaw via the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. The 1840 population was 1,356 of which 384 were free whites. The WPA indicated that a 1836 census revealed Indians living in the county.

Musing 11 Figure 1 indicates there were no CIP bands in the county. There were a few CIP in the county.

A review of the original US survey documents yielded little. There were few paths noted. Township T26N R7W, which is shared with Coahoma County, had a number of fields. See Coahoma County (below). Note: The surveyor's had a tough time surveying Mississippi River delta land. The cane was prolific. They literally could see a few feet in the cane thickets.

The WPA had few references of Choctaw or Indians. Charley's Trace was mentioned several times. In fact, the WPA stated the county was only accessed by the Mississippi River until 1836. Locals noted that Charley had a towhead and wood yard on the Mississippi River which would have supported and fueled steamships. In Musing 4 we provide the route and history of Charley's Trace.

Also, from the WPA Choctaw William Foster sold 360 acres of land near Mound City. We do not find him in the CIP database in Bolivar County. But he was a signer of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. Could this land have supported a Choctaw band?

The WPA also had accounts of traveling Choctaws selling baskets to the whites. Specific locations or dates were not provided.

We have no bands to add to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Sunflower County:

Sunflower County was founded in 1844 from lands the US acquired from the Choctaw from the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. The 1850 county population was 1,102 which was very low. Settler access to the county was an issue as was disease. Yellow Fever hit the county hard in the 1870s. The WPA indicated that a 1890 census revealed 4 Indians living in the county.

Musing 11 Figure 1 does not indicate any CIP bands. There were a handful of CIP in the county.

Further we did not find evidence of Choctaw occupation from the original US survey documents.

The WPA History of Sunflower County indicated there were Indian camps at Inverness where baskets and beads were sold or bartered.

We do not have any bands to add to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Leflore County:

Leflore County was founded 1871 and formed from Sunflower and Carroll counties. The land was ceded by the Choctaw to the United States from the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek.

Musing 11 Figure 1 indicates two CIP bands were located in Leflore County. These were townships T20N R1W and T22N R2W. There were other CIP in the county see Musing 3 Leflore County Figure 18. The two bands are discussed in Musing 3 Leflore County.

The US original survey records yielded another band located in township T17N R1E. This band was located on Abyacha (Abiaca) Creek and may be named for it. The plat revealed paths and fields and there was one CIP in the band. Part of the band may be in Holmes County.

Charley's Trace passed through the county, see Musing 4.

The WPA though informative did not provide specifics regarding the location of Choctaw bands.

We have added one band in township T17N R1E to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Carroll County:

Carroll County was formed in 1833 from lands ceded the US by the Choctaw via the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. The 1840 population was 10,481 which was larger than the 2020 population.

On Musing 11 Figure 1 we find four CIP bands. These include CIP bands in townships T19N R2E and T19N R3E; T18N R2E; T17N R1E; and T16N R5E. These bands were discussed in Musing 3 Carroll County. All of the county CIP are shown by township in Musing 3 on Figure 17.

The CIP band located south of "Pitchatala" (Peachahala) Creek in township T16N R5E (noted above) is evident on the original US survey plat and may extend east into township T16N R6E to just above Pitchahala Creek.

The original US survey plats were examined to determine if any bands could be found. In township T20N R2E fields and roads were evident. The roads include Charley's Trace, Road from Rankin to Memphis, and Road to Leflore's Landing. Choctaw Charles Hays of Charley's Trace fame lived in this township. Musing 4 provides information about Charley and his road. There are CIP in the township.

The WPA was not specific about Choctaw occupation.

We have added the band at township T20N R2E to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Montgomery County:

Montgomery County was formed from Carroll and Choctaw Counties and founded in 1871. The 1880 population was 13,348.

From Musing 11 Figure 1 we find one CIP band. In Musing 3 Montgomery County we find that band at township T19N R7E. Two CIP in the adjoining township T18N R7E were part of this band and the CIP were located on Wolf Creek. In addition, "Choctawville" was located in township T19N R7E. It was mentioned in the WPA but specifics of its occupation were lacking.

The original US survey plats were of little value as most of the plats were either lacking creek names or Choctaw occupational features.

In the Montgomery County WPA the town of Duck Hill was named for a Choctaw Indian Dr. Duck who lived on the hill. Another Indian named Jones lived just south. Duck Hill is located in township T20N R6E Section 6. There were two other CIP in Section 4 which were not named Jones. The Duck Hill area was described by the first settler John Binford in 1834 as a Choctaw village. In fact, Mr. Binford learned to speak Choctaw.

The WPA had two references to a village located on Poplar Creek and south of the Big Black River or township T18N R7E. There were two CIP in township T18N R7E.

There was a temporary Choctaw encampment south of Lodi community which was described as a trading band which traded baskets, blow guns, etc. The WPA description was perhaps the most memorable of all the WPA Mississippi County Histories pertaining to the Choctaw.

The Carroll County WPA (Montgomery was formed partially from Carroll County) indicated the extinct town of old Middleton, which was a mile west of Winona, was the first Indian trading post. Likely, other bands were near the trading post.

We have added two bands to Montgomery County in townships T20N R6E and T18N R7E to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Choctaw County:

Choctaw County was founded in 1833 from lands the US acquired from the Choctaw at the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. Its 1840 population was 6,010. From a historic perspective the Natchez Trace crossed the county from southwest to northeast; see Musing 11 Figure 1. The trace was adjacent to the Lefleur stand and trading post at French Camp where Greenwood Leflore was born and raised. He became a Choctaw District Chief and moved to Carroll County. French Camp is located at township T17N R9E Section 31. The Athens Road, Musing 5, terminated at the Natchez Trace in township T17N R9E Section 31. Also, Choctaw notable Daniel McCurtain lived in township T17N R9E Section 4.

Musing 11 Figure 1 indicates Choctaw County had three CIP bands. Two bands were townships T18N R11E and T18N R10E. Two of the CIP in T17N R10E were included with T18N R10E. The third Choctaw County CIP band was located in township T17N R9E. Recall that French Camp was in Section 31 which is the southwestern corner of T17N R9E. Note: The CIP in township T17N R11 were combined with the band in southwestern Oktibbeha County.

The original US survey plats indicated additional bands. The small band noted above in township T17N R11E was evident.

A large band was located in township T19 R10E. Another large band was located just east in township T19N R11E. The latter band was at David Folsom's Pigeon Roost just south of Pigeon Roost Creek. A Choctaw school was established there. Kidwell (page 58) noted there were a hundred Choctaws living there. David Folsom moved about 1825 to the new Choctaw Agency on Robinson Road in what would become southeastern Oktibbeha County. These bands were recorded by surveyors in 1833.

The WPA noted a village at what became Simpson's School. This location was near the existing CIP band in township T17N R9E noted above. Also, the WPA indicated a Choctaw village around French Camp which verifies the previously mentioned village in township T17N R9E CIP.

We add two bands at and adjacent to Pigeon Roost in townships T19N R10E and T19N R11E to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Oktibbeha County:

Oktibbeha County was founded in 1833 from lands the US acquired from the Choctaw at the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. Its 1840 population was 4,276 which was less than neighboring Choctaw County.

In Musing 12 Figure 1 Oktibbeha County indicated two CIP bands. In Musing 3 Oktibbeha County we find the two CIP bands were townships T17N R15E and T17N R12E. To T17N R12E we combined CIP in T17N R11E in Choctaw County. There were also CIP in other townships in Oktibbeha County; see Musing 3 Figure 14.

What about the original US survey documents? Did they reveal additional bands? First of all, they documented a number of roads. Understand that the Choctaw Agency moved to southeastern Oktibbeha County in 1824 on the Robinson Road. See Musing 12 Figure 1. District Chief David Folsom moved from Pigeon Roost in Choctaw County to near the Agency the following year. Additionally, Mayhew Mission and School were founded 1819 and 1821 in the northeast corner of the county. There were roads from Mayhew to the Agency, from Mayhew to another mission named Elliot in what is now Grenada County (Musing 6) and a Road from Athens in Monroe County to the Robinson Road west of Oktibbeha County (Musing 5). There was also a Treaty road from Mashulatubbee's in Noxubee County to the south of the Agency (Musing7). The roads are shown on Musing 12 Figure 1. The surveyors did not typically show a lot of paths. Therefore, it was not obvious whether there were more apparent Choctaw bands strictly from just the surveyor's documents. The surveyors did record the prairies which were in the eastern half of the county.

With regards Choctaw village/band locations, there was aid from the WPA History of Oktibbeha County. The WPA stated there were Choctaw villages on the Noxubee River, around the present site of Starkville, in the vicinity of Mayhew, at Hebron, and at White's town. Taken in order, the village on the Noxubee River is our CIP band at township T17N R15E which was located in tributaries that drain south to the Noxubee River. Second, the village around the present (1937 date of WPA) site of Starkville was located just west of the Courthouse at Sweet Gum Springs. The village was named "Hic a she ba ha" after the spring. Likely the village extended south two miles to include the CIP in township T18N R14E, see Musing 3 Figure 14. The village in the vicinity of Mayhew was west of Mayhew on the ridge above "Tibby" (Tibbee) Creek. There were several surveyor noted fields and CIP extending west from Mayhew beginning township T20N R15E on the Mayhew to Elliot Road. As far as a village at Hebron, recall this is the Mission that Cushman's father managed. The village based on the CIP locations was east of Hebron in township T19N R14E. Lastly is the village at White's Town. Whitefield, the early white settlement, was founded in 1850s from land purchased from Choctaw Lewis White (likely the White of White's Town) whose land was located in township T17N R12E Section 9. Additionally nearby Sturgis was founded after Dr. William Baron bought land from Choctaw James Terril. As we mentioned above township T17N R12E was one of our CIP bands. The Athens Road ran through White's Town.

We add three more Oktibbeha County bands: Mayhew at township T20N R15E; "Hic a she ba ha" at township T18N R14E; and Hebron at township T19N R14E.

Lowndes County:

The western part of Lowndes County was founded in 1830 from lands the US acquired from the Choctaw at the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. However, the eastern side of the county, east of Tombigbee River, was founded in 1816 from lands acquired by the US from the Choctaw in the Treaty of Fort St. Stephens. Lowndes County's 1830 population was 3,173 which quadrupled to 14,513 in 1840.

There were two major roads running towards Columbus MS. They were the Jackson Military Road and Robinson Road, see Musing 12 Figure 1. These roads merged just at the west bank of the Tombigbee River opposite Columbus. A ferry was owned and operated by Garland Lincecum who had Choctaw ferry operators and was described as an interesting character adorned normally in buckskin clothes. Garland's brother was Gideon Lincecum. Gideon Lincecum was active in early Columbus organization. Further, in 1821 Gideon Lincecum operated a trading post in Possum Town, the original name of Columbus. He served Indian and white clients. Gideon Lincecum achieved quite a bit of success as a historian and naturalist, particularly in Texas. You can find his biography on Wikipedia. Gideon Lincecum was one of the first to record the dimensions of Nanih Waiya mound.

Western Lowndes County had prairies from the same geologic formation that we found in Noxubee and Oktibbeha Counties. Recall the villages or bands in the prairies were likely smaller than those in the woods as the prairie soils were tight clays, which did not hold water well thus limiting crop production.

On Musing 11 Figure 1 we see there were no CIP bands. There were CIP; see Musing 2 Figure 13 which shows the distribution of the county CIP by township. The highest count was 5 CIP in township T17N R18E.

Do the original US survey documents reveal Choctaw bands? Keeping in mind that the prairie villages/bands were likely smaller sized, we find concentrations of paths in townships T17N R16E, T17N R17E, T19N R17E, T17N R18E, and T19N R16E all of which were small villages. Further townships T19N R17E and T17N R18E had the most CIP in the county. Township T19N R17E also had some notable Choctaws living there including Jack Pytchlynn (Pitchlynn), Peter Pytchlynn, Samuel Garland and A.N. Jones who were near neighbors in the township. Likely, A. N. Jones was Nathaniel Jones who was the father of Wilson Nathaniel Jones the future Principal Chief of the Choctaw Nation.

We find in the WPA that Possum Town's Choctaw name was "Shuk ho ta tom aha." Does this mean that there was a Choctaw village named Possum Town at Columbus prior to 1816? We did not find a record of a village.

We have added five additional villages/bands in townships T17N R16E; T17N R17E; T19N R17E; T17N R18E; and T19N R16E in Lowndes County to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Coahoma County:

Coahoma County was founded 1836 from lands the United States acquired from the Choctaw at the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. The population in 1840 was only 1,290. The county borders the Mississippi River on the west and the Big Sunflower River bisects the eastern one-half of the county. The northern county border represents the dividing line between the Choctaw lands which were south and the Chickasaw lands which were north.

Musing 11 Figure 1 indicates that we had no CIP bands in the county. There were less than a dozen CIP in the county per BLM GLO website.

The original US survey documents were helpful finding two villages which were described by fields drawn on the plats. Both of these villages were located on the Mississippi River. The southern village was located in township T26N R7W. The whites attached the name of Pushmataha Landing to the site, likely in homage to these local Choctaws.

The northern village was northwest of Moon Lake opposite Helena, Arkansas. On early nineteenth century maps Trotter's Point would have been a good location for this band. The band was in township T30N R4W. This location was hard against the Choctaw/Chickasaw boundary. Both of these bands may have supported white settlers arriving via the Mississippi River through hunting and fishing and selling livestock. There was a large flow of settlers coming into Coahoma County from Helena, Arkansas in the 1830s-1840s. We do not find CIP at either band.

In the WPA we find a Choctaw named "Sheriff" had a village on Sheriff's Ridge near what is now Coahoma Community College in township T28N R4W and near Mackey's Lake. We do not find CIP there.

We have added three villages/bands to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2 in townships T26N R7W, T30N R4W, and T28N R4W.

Quitman County:

Quitman County was founded in 1877. It was formed from lands taken from neighboring counties of Tunica, Coahoma, Tallahatchie, and Panola. The population in 1880 was only 1,407. The Yocona, Yazoo, and Tallahatchie Rivers flow through the county.

There were no CIP bands as seen in Musing 11 Figure 1. In fact, there were no CIP in the county.

The original US survey documents were of no help locating bands. My notes do not reflect a single field in any of the townships. The original surveys dated 1833.

The WPA did not provide any specific Choctaw village or camp locations. However, it did tout Charley's Trace as an important access for settlers from the Mississippi River to Quitman County lands.

To Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2 we do not add any bands from Quitman County.

Tallahatchie County:

Tallahatchie County was formed in 1833 from lands ceded to the US by the Choctaw via the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. The Tallahatchie County 1840 population was 2,985. The road from Rankin to Memphis passed through the county as did Charley's Trace.

There was one CIP band as shown on Musing 11 Figure 1. It was in township T24N R2W. The original US survey plat indicated these people lived on a "Cypress Brake". Charley's Trace is the road on the township plat that almost circles the Cypress Brake; see Musing 4. There were no fields noted by the surveyors. Meaning, the original US survey documents alone would not have likely yielded this band. There were additional CIP in the county; see Musing 3 Figure 20.

The survey documents were helpful in finding two other bands. These bands are neighbors in the northeast townships of the county: T26N R2E and T26N R3E. There are a number of fields shown on the plats.

On township T26N R2E the fields are arrayed north to south along the bluff of the delta. The Rankin to Memphis Road runs north south along the delta bluff. It is interesting to note that the CIP are on the bluff side of the survey plat near the Choctaw/Chickasaw Boundary.

The band in township T26N R3E is east of the previous band and the Choctaw fields more distributed across the township. The CIP are on the extreme north end of the county adjacent to the Choctaw/Chickasaw Boundary.

From the BLM GLO website we find Molly Nail living at township T25N R3E Section 30. We assume this was Henry Nail's wife. He had died in 1817. In Article II of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek she was granted a full section of land. We believe she was the mother of Joel Henry Nail and Rhoda Nail who married David Folsom. Per the BLM GLO database she owned the full section, and she is the only Molly Nail in the patent records of the BLM GLO database in Mississippi.

The WPA was of no assistance to finding Choctaw villages. It did give credit to Charley's Trace for being a conduit for white settlement.

To Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2 add two bands/villages in townships T26N R2E and T26N R3E.

Yalobusha County:

Yalobusha County was formed in 1834 from lands ceded to the US by the Choctaw via the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. The 1840 population was 12,248 which was much than higher than neighboring Tallahatchie County.

The Choctaw/Chickasaw Boundary line divided the county diagonally. The line began in the southeast corner of the county and extended to the northwest corner. South of the line was Choctaw land and north was Chickasaw.

In Musing 11 Figure 1 we find one CIP band. In Musing 3 Yalobusha County we combined townships T24N R5E and T24N R6E to create one band. We note the larger concentration of CIP was along Okachickima Creek. The smaller concentration of CIP was along Organ Creek. (More about this CIP band below.) Musing 3 Figure 21 provides the distribution of the CIP in the county.

The original US survey documents were revealing. There were two townships that yielded bands. The first was the triangle shaped township T26N R4E which borders the Choctaw/Chickasaw boundary. There were nine fields in the reduced size township. There were no CIP in the township.

The second band was in township T23N R5E. The township is on the county's southern boundary; see Musing 3 Figure 21. Since most of the band was located in Grenada County we will write about it there.

The WPA History of Yalobusha County had a story relative to the CIP band in townships T24N R25E and T24N R6E mentioned above. Choctaw John and Susan Perry owned a hill and lived near its summit. They also owned land including a section of land in Grenada County. John had two brothers, Charlie and Henry, who helped manage the land. There was a nearby village of Choctaw named "Perryville" by the locals. These were the peoples living in townships T24N R5E and T24N R6E. Apparently, the Perry's moved to the Choctaw Nation in 1835. And according to the WPA a local white settler who made the trip to Oklahoma said their wagon was loaded with silver coins. It turned out that James Knox Polk (later President James Knox Polk) bought their hill and lands in 1835. The name Perry lived on through nearby Perry Creek. John and Susan Perry were described as staunch Presbyterians. Could they have been students at the Elliot Mission? (Note: It could be that Susan Perry was Chickasaw as a Susan Perry owned land in the Chickasaw territory. Of note the USGS has a "Susie Perry Creek" west of Water Valley).

The WPA also indicated a Choctaw village at old Hendersonville southwest of Coffeeville as reported by an eye witness, Captain Lake, who lived there in 1834. That village or band would have occupied townships T24N R5E and T24E R6E which we noted as a CIP band. This represents a confirmation of the CIP band named "Perryville."

The WPA also noted that Davidson Rayburn operated a trading post near Coffeeville. That would have been in township T24N R6E Section 4 where he owned land. That location places his trading post adjacent to the "Perryville" band.

We add one township T26N R4E band/village to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Grenada County:

Grenada County was formed from parts of Calhoun, Carroll, Tallahatchie, and Yalobusha counties. It was founded in 1870. The 1870 population was 10,751.

There were no CIP bands as shown on Musing 11 Figure 1. Musing 3 Grenada County provides some insight into the county. Musing 3 Figure 19 indicates the number of CIP on a township basis for Grenada County.

In addition to the CIP there were early white settlements in the county. Chocchuma was a trading post and land office of the United States where surveying crews were managed and where surveyed lands were sold. The land office in Chocchuma was in service from roughly 1832 to 1836. Elliot Mission was formed in 1818 by a group of missionaries sponsored by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. A Choctaw mission opened there in 1819 and a school shortly thereafter. The Mission was generally successful but closed in 1832 as a consequence of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. White settlement occurred in Tullahoma in 1823. The current county seat Grenada formed from the melding of two early settlements: Tullahoma and Pittsburg in 1836. The land for early Grenada came from Choctaw Peggy Trehan and US mail rider John Donley from lands granted to them in the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. (Note: neither Trehan nor Donley lived there; they sold their right to own land granted by the treaty.) Donley's daughter Rosa married Choctaw District Chief Greenwood Leflore. After Rosa passed her sister married Greenwood Leflore.

The original US survey plats indicated a large Choctaw village that was centered in the eastern side of township T22N R4E. Also, there were a number of paths in the western part of the neighboring township T22N R5E, the southeastern part of township T23N R4E and the northwestern corner of township T21N R5E which encompass the CIP noted in those townships; see Musing 3 Figure 19. We will add a band in township T22N R4E.

In Yalobusha County we discovered a band/village in township T23N R5E but decided to place the location in Grenada County which had the larger part of the township and village.

The WPA noted a village on property of John C. James on Horsepen Creek. Horsepen Creek is in Calhoun County; however, a check of patents indicates John C. James owned at least three parcels in township T22N R7E on Little Horsepen Creek which is in Grenada County. Thus, we will add a band in township T22N R7E.

The WPA also noted a prominent local Choctaw, "Joho ki tubbe," who had several aliases including Tobey Tubbe. (Our guess is this is Johokebetubbe who was granted two sections of land per Article XIX of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek). Tobey had several businesses. He owned and operated an inn that was distinctively circularly shaped; he had a horse enclosure from which he sold horses; and he operated ferries on the Tallahatchie and Yalobusha Rivers. The WPA indicated, as far as his horse trading went, he favored Whig customers as opposed to their political opponent the Jacksonian Democrats who he explained did not like Indians. No date was given relative to Tobey's businesses' service years. Likewise a location for his inn or horse enclosure was not provided. We wonder if Horsepen Creek isn't a geographic relic of Tobey's horse enclosure.

One other note from the WPA is appropriate. William Hunley who was a clerk at the Chocchuma Land Office also used his house for Presbyterian Choctaw services after the Elliot Mission closed. And his house doubled as a Choctaw trading post.

To Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2 we have added three bands in townships T22N R4E; T23N R5E; and T22N R7E.

Webster County:

Webster County was founded in 1874 and formed from neighboring counties. The 1880 population was 9,534. The Choctaw/Chickasaw Boundary line divides the northeastern corner of the county.

On Musing 11 Figure 1 we noted there are no CIP bands. There were a few CIP distributed about the county.

The original US survey documents did not yield a concentration of paths or fields.

The WPA indicated a band or village west of Clarkson on land belonging to Jacob Starnes. That Choctaw band was centered in the north of township T20N R11E and would include lands in southern part of township T21N R11E. The old Natchez Road and the Mayhew Road (Mayhew Mission in NE Oktibbeha County) ran through this part of the township. In addition, there were several CIP in township T20N R11E. Another village was located in the southern sections of township T20N R11E at Shagaloo where a trading post was built next to the Natchez Road. Both bands were on Spring Creek and Big Black River.

We add two bands/villages, one north and one south, in township T20N R11E to Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2.

Calhoun County:

Calhoun County was founded in 1852 and formed from the neighboring counties of Chickasaw, Lafayette and Yalobusha. The 1860 population was 9,518. The Choctaw/Chickasaw Boundary line divides the southwestern corner of the county which was Choctaw territory. The larger part of the county was Chickasaw territory.

From Musing 11 Figure 1 we find that we have no CIP bands. There were CIP in the three townships in the Choctaw portion of the county.

The original US survey plats did not indicate any paths or fields.

The WPA provided information about one prominent Choctaw District Chief Colonel Robert Cole who lived near Coles Creek. His son was Coleman Cole who was a Principal Chief of the Choctaw Nation. Robert Cole was granted two sections of land per Article XIX of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek (Note: Coleman Cole owned land in township T21N R4E Carroll County MS). From the WPA about 1830 we find that Robert Cole rented then sold his land to the Bounds brothers, Henry and J. R., who were early settlers. Cushman (page 326) wrote that some of Nathaniel Folsom's family, namely his brother Edmond and two sisters, moved to Coles Creek.

To Musing 13 Figures 1 and 2 we have added at band in township T23N R8E for Robert Cole and his CIP neighbors.

In summation we have 89 blue dot or CIP bands. Also, there are 125 green dot bands which we gleaned from the original US survey notes and WPA County histories. Conclusions? Not yet, perhaps in a Musing 14.

The counties south of the St.Stephens/Natchez Road (see Musing 13 Figure 2) with the exception of the gulf coast counties need more study. I trust you visit the J. B. Cain Archives at Millsaps College and follow the Methodist Episcopal circuit riders who likely hold more information relative to individuals, Choctaw bands, band names, notable Choctaw, businesses run by Choctaw, etc.